Eyes on the Prize
The Power to Reset WNPM • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 4 viewsWhen you reset, you must refocus—fixing your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Distractions may come, but victory belongs to those who look to Christ, run with endurance, and never lose sight of the finish line.
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Bible Passage
Bible Passage
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Introduction
Introduction
Imagine, if you will, a night on the Sea of Galilee.
The wind is howling.
The waves are crashing.
The disciples are straining at the oars, fear gripping their hearts.
But suddenly—there, in the midst of the storm, a figure appears, walking on the water.
It’s Jesus!
Peter, bold and brash, calls out, “Lord, if it’s You, bid me come!”
And Jesus says, “Come.”
Peter steps out of the boat.
He does the impossible—he walks on water!
But as the wind roars and the waves rise, Peter’s eyes shift from Jesus to the storm.
Fear floods in.
He begins to sink.
“Lord, save me!” he cries.
And immediately, Jesus reaches out, lifts him up, and says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Church, the moment Peter took his eyes off Jesus, he began to sink.
But when he refocused—when he called on the name of the Lord—he was lifted up and restored.
The Call to Refocus: "Lay Aside Every Weight"
The Call to Refocus: "Lay Aside Every Weight"
Hebrews 12:1-2 declares:
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We are not running alone.
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses
They testify: “You can make it!
You can endure!
You can finish strong!”
But the text says, “Lay aside every weight.”
Not just sin, but every distraction, every burden, every unnecessary thing that slows you down.
Church, what’s weighing you down?
Is it the endless scroll of social media?
Is it the busyness of life,
the constant noise,
the pressure to perform,
the anxiety that keeps you up at night?
Distractions are everywhere—digital overload, worry, the cares of this world.
But God says, “Lay it aside!”
Somebody shout, “Lay it down!”
The Power of Focus: "Looking Unto Jesus"
The Power of Focus: "Looking Unto Jesus"
The Greek word for “looking” means to turn your eyes away from everything else and fix them on one thing
And that one thing is JESUS.
Not on your problems.
Not on your past.
Not on your pain.
But on Jesus—the Author and Perfecter, the Pioneer and Finisher, the One who started your faith and will bring it to completion.
He ran His race.
He endured the cross.
He despised the shame.
He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
He finished what He started.
And He’s calling you to do the same.
The Christian life is not a sprint—it’s a marathon.
It takes endurance.
It takes perseverance.
It takes focus.
And the only way to finish is to keep your eyes on Jesus.
Overcoming Distractions: Practical Strategies for Spiritual Focus
Overcoming Distractions: Practical Strategies for Spiritual Focus
Let’s get practical, church.
How do we refocus in a world full of distractions?
1. Intentional Prayer
1. Intentional Prayer
Set aside time—morning, noon, or night—to talk with God.
Turn off your phone.
Find a quiet place.
Pour out your heart.
Use written prayers, guided prayers, or just speak from your soul.
Even ten minutes of focused prayer can change your day.
2. Scripture Engagement
2. Scripture Engagement
Open your Bible—paper or digital—and let God’s Word reset your mind.
Read, meditate, memorize.
Let verses like Isaiah 26:3 which says “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You”; anchor your thoughts.
3. Community Support
3. Community Support
Don’t run this race alone.
Join a small group.
Find an accountability partner.
Pray together.
Serve together.
Encourage one another.
When you stumble, let your brothers and sisters lift you up.
Finally 4. Remove and Replace Distractions
Finally 4. Remove and Replace Distractions
Try a digital fast.
Create distraction-free zones.
Replace mindless scrolling with moments of worship, gratitude, and reflection.
Theological Truth: Christ at the Center
Theological Truth: Christ at the Center
We are reminded tonight that Sanctification,
spiritual growth,
is not about striving in our own strength.
It’s about beholding Jesus, day by day, moment by moment.
The more you look to Him, the more you become like Him.
It’s not about perfectionism—it’s about Christlikeness.
You are accepted, not because of your performance, but because of His righteousness.
The Holy Spirit empowers you to run your race, to grow in holiness, to finish strong.
Closing
Closing
As i Close
“Are you ready to run your race?”
“Are you laying aside every weight?”
“Are you fixing your eyes on Jesus?”
When you fix your eyes on Jesus,
No storm can sink you!
No weight can hold you!
No distraction can derail you!
No devil can defeat you!
He is the Author—He wrote your story!
He is the Perfecter—He will finish your story!
He is Alpha and Omega,
The Beginning and the End,
The First and the Last!
So run, child of God!
Run with endurance!
Run with faith!
Run with your eyes on the prize!
And when you cross that finish line,
You’ll hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
“Refocus!”
“Keep your Eyes on Jesus!”
“And Run Your race!”
